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<h1>Soundboard Thickness Profile</h1>

<p>First of all: Specifying thickness figures is nonsense, taken into account that each piece of wood is individual in terms of strenght and density. Thicknessing, and thickness profiling, must be done with a specific strength and stiffness profile in mind. If the desired flexibility is reached, then it's time to stop thinning. With a stiffer material, this will result in a thinner board.</p>

<p>Mechanical properties can be monitored by measurements, such as putting a defined weight on the top, and measure the deflection between defined points. Another common method is "tap tuning": Thinning is stopped when a certain tone and resonance criterium is reached.</p>

<p>However, it is virtually impossible to define exact specifications for the guitar beginner, but it is possible to specify a thickness profile to give a starting point.</p>

<p>Rick Middleton recommends in his book <a href="../appx/references.htm#001">[1]</a> the following profile for a spruce top: </p>

<ul>
<li>Upper bout area down the the lower sound hole: 2.5 mm uniformly</li>
<li>Center area between bridge and sound hole: 2.5 mm</li>
<li>Gradually thinned to the sides and bottom below the bridge: 2 mm or a little less.</li>
</ul>

<p>He recommends not to go below 1.5 mm in any case.</p>
<p>For Cedar tops he recommends to add about 25 %.</p>


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